Cheat Sheet

OS X Mavericks All-in-One For Dummies

OS X Mavericks power users have a number of handy tools for controlling a Macintosh efficiently and for maintaining the operating system. Although the mouse or trackpad is your primary means of controlling OS X, Mavericks also recognizes a slew of keyboard shortcuts for Finder. Most of these shortcuts involve using modifier keys such as Command, Control, and Option, which carry their own symbols. Mac owners should also follow a regular maintenance schedule to keep Mavericks running trouble-free.

OS X Mavericks: Finder Keyboard Shortcuts

As you probably know, Finder is the foundation that performs most of the important functions in OS X Mavericks, including displaying windows, copying and moving files, and launching applications. What you may not know, though, is that lots of Finder keyboard shortcuts are available so you can perform tasks more efficiently (especially if you're a Mac power user).

Key

Function

Command+A

Selects all items in the active window (icon view), all items
in the column (column view), or all items in the list (cover flow
view)

Command+C

Copies the selected items

Command+D

Duplicates the selected item or items

Command+E

Ejects the selected volume

Command+F

Displays the Find dialog

Command+H

Hides All Finder windows

Command+I

Shows info for the selected item or items

Command+J

Shows the view options for the active window

Command+K

Displays the Connect to Server dialog

Command+L

Creates an alias for the selected item

Command+M

Minimizes the active window

Command+N

Opens a new Finder window

Command+O

Opens (or launches) the selected item

Command+R

Shows the original for the selected alias

Command+T

Adds the selected item to the sidebar

Command+V

Pastes items from the Clipboard

Command+W

Closes the active window

Command+X

Cuts the selected items

Command+Z

Undoes the last action (if possible)

Command+,

Displays Finder Preferences

Command+1

Shows the active window in icon mode

Command+2

Shows the active window in list mode

Command+3

Shows the active window in column mode

Command+4

Shows the active window in cover flow mode

Command+[

Moves back to the previous Finder location

Command+]

Moves forward to the next Finder location

Command+Del

Moves selected items to the Trash

Command+Up Arrow

Shows the enclosing folder

Command+`

Cycles through windows

Command+?

Displays OS X Help Viewer

Command+Shift+A

Goes to your Applications folder

Command+Shift+C

Goes to the top-level Computer location

Command+Shift+G

Goes to the specified folder

Command+Shift+H

Goes to your Home folder

Command+Shift+Q

Logs you out

Command+Shift+N

Creates a new untitled folder in the active window

Command+Shift+U

Goes to your Utilities folder

Command+Shift+Del

Deletes the contents of the Trash

Command+Option+H

Hides all windows except the Finder's window(s)

Command+Option+I

Opens the Inspector for the selected items

Command+Option+N

Creates a new Smart folder

Command+Option+T

Hides the Finder window toolbar and sidebar

Command+Option+Space

Opens the Spotlight window

Command+Space

Opens the Spotlight menu

Control+Up Arrow (or F3, depending on your keyboard model)

Displays the Mission Control screen

Control+Down Arrow (or Control+F3, depending on your keyboard
model)

Shows all open windows for the current application using
Mission Control

F11 (or Command+F3, depending on your keyboard model)

Hides all windows to display the Desktop using Mission
Control

F12 (or F4, depending on your keyboard model)

Displays your Dashboard widgets

Space

Displays the contents of a file using Quick Look

Strange-Looking Keys on the Mac Keyboard

If you're new to the Macintosh world, you might find the look of the Mac keyboard a bit mystifying. You'll see unusual symbols on modifier keys, which allow you an even wider range of possible commands than you'd find on a PC keyboard, leading to greater efficiency in your applications. To become a Mac power user, you need to know these modifier keys found on both MacBook and Mac desktop keyboards:

OS X Mavericks Maintenance Checklist

Perform regular maintenance tasks in OS X Mavericks to keep your Mac running fast and smooth. You probably already know about some of the items that show up in this table (for example, backing up regularly). Unfortunately, some other maintenance tasks don't get as much attention but play a vital part in keeping your Mac in tip-top condition for as long as possible. So check this table often, or print it and keep a copy near your Mac!